Subaru's insistence in staying with its all-wheel-drive (AWD) layout
and keeping it affordable has paid off in increased sales. New models
this year include the new six-cylinder Legacy models, the road-storming
WRX, and our tester this week, the Impreza 2.5 TS Sport Wagon.

OUTSIDE - The Impreza sports a new look for 2002. This new identity
is highlighted by oversized oval headlights that are canted back toward
the windshield. On the wagon models, the new look includes rear window
glass that wraps around the rearmost roof pillar. Also new are
pronounced fender flares front and rear and a new ultra-stiff body
structure. It uses specially-welded side sills and a hydroformed front
subframe, along with ring-shaped reinforcements front, back and center
to form a series of rings around the passenger compartment. This, along
with strengthening elsewhere within the car's structure, helps Impreza
offer a new level of crash protection. A short roof rack on wagon models
can accept a multitude of sports equipment carriers and our tester wore
optional 16-inch alloy wheels and 205/55 R-series all-season tires.

INSIDE - Impreza's interior has been redesigned a bit to provide
more room and comfort. The layout is functional, but not lavish. Room
was added basically by giving the front seats a ratchet-type vertical
adjuster that gives slightly more headroom. The tilt steering column now
has more adjustment as well. Impreza is a four-passenger car, made for
average-sized adults, so if three across in back is desired, be prepared
for a tight fit. The interior is basic without looking stripped down,
with large analog gauges that are simple to read, and large ventilation
ports that guide air efficiently to where it's needed. Power windows,
door locks and outside mirrors are standard, as are cruise control, air
conditioning an 80-watt stereo and a 60/40 split folding rear seat.

ON THE ROAD - Our Sport Wagon came powered by a 2.5-liter,
horizontally-opposed four cylinder engine. It's different than most
engines because the cylinders protrude from the crankcase, or main body
of the engine, in a sideways manner, unlike conventional engines, which
stick upward. Subaru claims this lowers the car's center of gravity for
a more stable feel on the road. It produces 165 horsepower and 166
pound-feet of torque - impressive numbers for such a small car. And as
with all Subaru models, it comes standard with AWD. On the five-speed
stick-shift models, the system splits torque in a 50/50 front-to-rear
fashion using a center differential and a viscous coupling built into
the transmission case. Automatic transmission-equipped models utilize a
different system called Active AWD. This technology uses an
electronically-managed clutch housed in the transmission tail shaft.
Instead of hydraulic actuation of the all-wheel-drive unit, this system
is mechanical, using friction between clutch plates to send power fore
and aft. It's a seamless system that provides excellent grip anytime.

BEHIND THE WHEEL - Impreza's unitized platform has been enhanced by
the ring-shaped reinforcement frame layout. It has helped the chassis to
resist bending and twisting by 148 percent and 82 percent, respectively.
Four-wheel independent MacPherson strut suspension is fairly typical of
compact cars these days, with coil springs, tube shocks and a stabilizer
bar fitted at both ends. With AWD and the engine's low center of
gravity, our Impreza delivered delightfully balanced handling. Going hot
into corners brings some of the expected understeer, or plowing, that
happens on cars of this segment, but a smooth roll up in power can
correct that, thanks to AWD and the grippy all-season tires. There are
four-wheel disc brakes as well, vented up front with twin-piston
calipers and solid in back with single-piston calipers. An anti-lock
braking system (ABS) is standard.